New Delhi, Jan 7 (IANS) The NHRC has issued notice to the union chemicals and fertilizers ministry as well as the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) over reports that the latter had withdrawn an order that may lead to arbitrary hike in the prices of 108 cardiovascular and anti-diabetes drugs.

Observing that the decision may amount to “violation or denial of right to health to poor and marginalised citizens”, the NHRC has asked the ministry’s secretary and the NPPA to submit reports within six weeks.

“Reportedly, the NPPA withdrew its May, 2014 guidelines in September, 2014 that put a cap on the prices of 108 cardiovascular and anti-diabetes drugs to insulate them from arbitrary hikes through market mechanisms…

“This does not present any robust logic for doing away with a policy that was aimed at easing access of common man to medicines,” the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said.

“Withdrawal of the guidelines is likely to impinge upon the access of common man to health and medicare,” it said further.